James Hook thinks Ross Moriarty has a good chance of earning a Test start in the best British and Irish Lions squad he’s ever seen and believes Greig Laidlaw is the perfect candidate to be midweek captain.

Hook, who made six appearances for the Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa, spent the last three seasons playing with Moriarty and Laidlaw at Gloucester and has tipped both of them to make an impact in New Zealand.

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The last of Hook’s 81 caps for Wales came in the 2015 World Cup when Moriarty was breaking into the side and the back-row forward has since gone on to establish himself at international level.

With England and Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola withdrawing from the Lions squad due to injury, Hook has backed Moriarty to stake his claim for a starting spot.

Ross Moriarty

“Since the 2015 World Cup, Ross has gone from strength to strength and even before that when he came through the ranks at Gloucester,” said Hook.

“He’s no nonsense, he doesn’t let anything affect him and he plays the game the right way.

“Billy Vunipola’s injury opens it up for Ross starting a Test. He was one of Wales’ best players in New Zealand last summer and if he can take that into the tour he’s got a really good chance of starting at six with Taulupe Faletau now playing at number eight.”

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Moriarty has been named in the number six shirt for the opening game of the tour against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday with Laidlaw starting at scrum-half.

Like Ospreys-bound Hook, Laidlaw’s association with Gloucester is coming to an end after three years as he is joining Clermont Auvergne in the summer and he made a big impression on the Welshman.

Greig Laidlaw and James Hook

Having captained Gloucester last season and Scotland since 2013, Laidlaw has been talked up as a player who could lead the Lions side in some of the warm-up games.

“Since he came to Gloucester he demonstrated his leadership qualities,” said Hook.

“He would be perfect for the midweek team but won’t settle for that, he will look for a Test spot.

“Conor Murray and Rhys Webb are probably first and second choice but knowing Greig he will compete and he likes the battle.”

A lot has been made of the gruelling schedule that the Lions face in New Zealand with 10 games in six weeks and Hook thinks that the Lions’ hopes in the Test series could depend on how many injuries they pick up.

Greig Laidlaw receives instructions from kicking coach Neil Jenkins

“It’s going to be tough,” said Hook.

“They’ve had a couple of injuries already, which won’t have helped them, but it’s probably the best British Lions squad I’ve seen and they are against the best team in the world.